The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says it has taken extra precautions to ensure a smooth and credible by-election in the Sesfontein Constituency, applying lessons learnt from last year's Presidential and National Assembly elections that were marred by technical difficulties.

Polling stations opened at seven o'clock in the morning, with more than four thousand registered voters expected to cast their ballots. 

The by-election was prompted by the departure of Hendrik Gaobaeb, who vacated his seat after being elected to the National Assembly last year. 

Gaobaeb was among the early voters. 

"It is very important because it empowers the people to hold their democratically elected leaders accountable. Especially at the regional, local, and federal levels, where leaders are closest to people, it is essential that the needs of the community are clearly identified and addressed through proper programs and plans. Now, after electing their representatives, it is up to the people to actively demand accountability and service from those they have chosen," he said.

Since 2004, the UDF has won three of the last four regional council elections, with the Swapo Party briefly claiming victory in 2015 before the UDF reclaimed the seat in 2020. 

Commissioner at the ECN, Pius Iikwambi, said the commission is prepared.

"Obviously, we have learnt some lessons from the challenges that we experienced last year, and we have taken that into account as we are preparing for this by-election. So what we have done differently this time is to ensure that all teams have at least three devices. So, for sure, if there is not so much traffic at the polling point, then one machine is working and the two are only there. So that, in our view, should be sufficient to accommodate whatever eventuality that might arise."

Presiding officer Paulus Shuuveni, stationed at the Warmquelle polling station, has reported minor technical difficulties with the voter verification devices during the Sesfontein by-elections.

According to Shuuveni, the fingerprint verification tablets have experienced some difficulties since voting began this morning.

The Sesfontein Constituency is operating 14 mobile and 12 fixed polling stations for today's by-election.

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Emil Seibeb